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Mai practically jumped on her girlfriend, hugging her arm and clinging to her side. She had a wide grin on her face, face flushed from the cold, “I want to make art with you.”
“Right now?” Rose drawls lethargically. “We haven't even been out here for fifteen minutes. Do you want to go back inside? Going out in the snow was your idea…”
Though, Rose supposes she could be boring Mai. She appreciated things silently, glancing around with wide eyes to take in the beauty around her.
In comparison to Rose's fatigue, Mai was hyper, bouncing off walls as optimism fell off her (and stuck) like glitter. Rose was casual about her crush on Mai, but Mai's was extremely obvious and proud. In all honesty, Rose never thought someone like her was good for Mai, though she understood that opposites attract.
Mai blew out, which could be interpreted as a sigh of annoyance, but Rose knew she liked seeing her breath cloud around her, “Right here, right now. Lay in the snow with me!”
Mai was already lying on her back when her sentence registered. As Rose joined her, Mai started flailing her arms about. Rose followed suit, being more careful with her strokes and pressing her calves deeper into the snow to even out the dress.
A few moments later, Mai lifted her arms into the sky with childish grabby hands, “Pull me!”
When Rose hauls her up, Mai falls into her chest with a giggle. She pats her shoulders, “You're very strong.”
Rose smiles, as soft as the snow around them, “Your hat fell off, sweetheart.”
“Oh, thank you.” Mai turns and kneels beside her snow angel before pausing. After a brief second of staying, Mai draws a halo over her angel, then one over Rose’s, with devil horns to accompany it. Her lips purse, unsure of how to take it.
“What's this, Mai?” Rose keeps her tone gentle. Mai had been acting a little different today, and Rose had pinpointed it sooner, but she felt a deeper change in Mai this time. To be cautious, she stays in her spot instead of reaching over to touch Mai like she wanted.
Mai trots back to Rose, linking their arms. Rose relaxes, glad Mai initiated contact. Physical touch was a language used by Mai when she regressed. This one signaled that she was okay… plus, Rose just wanted to hold her girlfriend. Always.
“Why do I have horns?”
“Well, I'm an angel,” Mai explains, pointing between the two, “And you were a fallen angel who was redeemed again.”
Rose went still. That was the sweetest thing ever.
Mai pinches her cheek to get her attention, “You're my angel. May I kiss you?”
“Always,” Rose whispers.
Their lips met halfway as snow started falling around them in small flakes. Mai’s lips were pinched tight as Rose's were relaxed in a neutral expression, although her heart spiked. Mai was smiling, Rose’s unflavored lip balm mixing with Mai’s. She couldn't taste the flavor, but she could tell the brand by the sting.
God, Mai was beautiful. Why she deserves someone so caring and positive, Rose didn't know, but she would never, ever complain about it.
Mai parted the kiss but took Rose's hand to let her know she still felt happy and affectionate, “I want to take you to see the Christmas lights. Maybe we can grab cocoa and visit the art gallery.”
“Again?” Rose tilts her head, “Aren't you bored of it yet?”
“No,” Mai punctuates with a slight sing-song. “Are you?”
“I don't think I'll ever be.”
“Then let's go! I'll pay- it'll be my treat.”
Rose wanted to protest, but she knew better. Sometimes Mai would relent, only to shower Rose with gifts and affection later. Rose squeezes her hand briefly, “Alright, but let me use my membership to get into the museum.”
“No, whyy?” Mai whines. She pouted. Upon further inspection, Rose realized it was unironic.
“You can still pay the cost, love, but I'll just make it cheaper. I won't pay at all. Promise.”
Mai seemed to relax, still slightly pouted, but eased for now, “Alright… I'm sorry.”
Rose stops her and holds Mai’s hand between both of her gloved ones, “You've done nothing wrong. I'm not mad at you. I want you to do whatever makes you comfortable right now.”
“But I feel like I'm forcing you to–”
“No, bee. You're not. You paying for me is sweet… and any normal person wouldn't turn down the offer.”
“...Can you hold me for a minute?”
“Of course,” Rose says softly, part of it getting absorbed into the snow around them. She wraps her arms around Mai’s waist and up to her shoulders, pulling her tight. She felt Mai relax and bury her face into her jacket.
Yeah, she couldn't ever complain.